As Americans age in larger numbers, more families will need to confront issues that are often uncomfortable to discuss.

The over-65 population is growing much faster than the population as a whole, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Between 2000 and 2010, the population 65 years and older increased 15.1 percent compared with the 9.7 percent growth in total population, the bureau said.

As the baby boomers careen toward old age, those numbers will only get bigger.

This means that they and their children should prepare, discussing such emotional issues as caregiving, end-of-life options and finances.

Those subjects were discussed last week at “The Silver Tsunami: Aging Challenges and Choices,” a program recently presented by NorthPark Presbyterian Church.

I had the pleasure of speaking at two sessions on senior finances.

Every senior’s nightmare is that they will outlive their money. But the sooner they and their family get a clear picture of their finances, the sooner they can take action to improve them.

That requires conversations that families often avoid.

“It is said that nothing is certain in life but death and taxes, so you can be certain that the two issues most sensitive and difficult to address with your loved ones are death and finances,” said Brian Fant, a Dallas elder law attorney. “This gives us every reason to avoid the topic, if at all possible, and feeds our need to procrastinate as long as possible.”

This only makes things worse.

“Procrastination will never make the matter go away,” Fant said.

It is important to get the conversation started. From the beginning, children should assure their parents that they’re not about to swoop in and take over their finances.

I was lucky when I had to broach the subject with my aging dad. Fortunately, my father, who died in 2000, was a banker and a practical guy. He understood the importance of talking about this and freely shared his financial information.

It may be harder for some families. Here are the first four questions to ask your parents, according to Ameriprise Financial:

What do they want?If your parents are hesitant to open up about their finances, this may be a good place to begin.

Ask them what they want and expect for the future — financially or in general.

What kind of legacy do they want to leave? That includes their wishes for their home, other property and valuable possessions, as well as any charitable causes they’d like to support.

Your parents may be reluctant to discuss these things, but reassure them of the value in communicating now while you both are still able.

What do you need to know?

Be sure you know where your parents store their important financial and legal documents.

They should have a will, financial power of attorney (also known as a statutory durable power of attorney), medical power of attorney and a physician’s directive (commonly known as a “living will”).

Is your retirement income sufficient?

Your parents may be struggling to make their retirement savings last. AARP suggests key areas to focus on:

What are their current and likely future bills?

Can they pay for what they need?

Do they need help getting government and pension benefits?

Do they have bills they can’t pay?

Do they need long-term care insurance?

Being aware of your parents’ financial situation can help you both set expectations for the future.